Anthony Smith is challenging UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones for the gold in the main event of UFC 235, as long as Jones is licensed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) first.
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold doesn’t understand why Smith is getting the opportunity against Jones.
“Anthony Smith just got a title shot,” said Rockhold on The MMA Hour. “He couldn’t sniff a top 10 at middleweight... [Smith’s fight against Jones] will be over in the less than a round. That’s why I don’t understand why they made this fight.”
Smith has picked up just three wins at light heavyweight, defeating Rashad Evans, Mauricio Rua and Volkan Oezdemir.
Rockhold is making his UFC Light Heavyweight Division debut later this year, with the possible debut fight happening this spring.
“I was shooting for late March, but we’re looking like early April now,” Rockhold said. “It just depends on what opponents fall where they may. I know Jon really wanted another fight really quick, for some reason. So he got this Anthony Smithfight [at UFC 235], so we’ll see. I know a couple of the other top guys are matched up. I think Thiago Santos and Jan Blachowicz[are matched up]. Corey Anderson looked decent the other night [at UFC 232] too. I’m lookin for a top guy.”
UFC 235 takes place on Saturday, March 3 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Jon Jones and Anthony Smith potentially headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
